Researchers at the University of Maine are developing a low-cost, portable sensor to help farmers quickly detect toxic PFAS chemicals in soil and water. Traditional testing methods are expensive and slow, often costing hundreds of dollars and taking days or weeks for results. The new sensor uses nanomaterials and electrochemical detection to measure PFAS levels in real-time via smartphones or similar devices. Backed by nearly $500,000 from Maine’s PFAS fund, the project aims to empower farmers with immediate, reusable testing tools. A patent is pending, and researchers hope the sensors will be available nationwide within a few years.

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